Cluster-fixture for electric lights.



J. H. CALDWELL.

GLUSTER FIXTURE FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

APPLICATION I'ILED 001. 21, 1908.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

, L L Q m h wammu tegral lamp sockets n'rrn same rarn rice- JOHN H. CALDWELL, OF PHILADELPHIA,.PENNSYLVANTA.

CLUSTER-FIXTURE FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

Application filed. October 21, 1908. Serial Ito. $58,806.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN CALDWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia,'in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cluster- Fixtures for Electric Lights, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved cluster fixture for electric lights, the object of the invention being to provide an improved base of insulating material having a series of integral lamp supporting sockets on one face and a series of grooves on its other face to contain the circuit wires, which are concealed from view and protected against harm when the fixture is mounted for use.

A further object is to provide an improved cluster fixture which is especially adapted for supporting the lamps in a vertical position above the base and within a shade, and provide improved means for closing the electric circuit with one or more lamps at the 0 tion of the user.

A iiirther object is to provide an improved cluster fixture, the base portion of which will be so designed as to prevent the casting of a shadow by the base portion when the fixture is supported with the lamps above the base portion. J

WVith these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a view=partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating one form of my improvement. Eig. 2, is a view of the lower face of the base shown in Fig. 1, and illustrating the location of the several circuit wire grooves. Fig. 3, is a" view similar to Fig. 2, illustratin a modification in which the base is circular, and the lamp sockets are at an angle to the base sothat the lamps will be in a flared position.

1 represents my improved base portion which is made of porcelain, glass or other suitable insulating or non-conducting material, and preferably of the shape as shown in Fig. 2, with a circular central portion and radially projecting extensions 2. On the upper face of the extended portions 2, in-

3 are located and are adapted to receive screw threaded shells i .for the reception of the ordinary incandescent lamps 5. By reason of this shape or design of. the base plate, that the lamps when supported by a rod or tubular hanger A as shown in Fig. 1, will throw the light downward all around the base and revent the castin of a shadow, as would he the case if the Tease were of adiameter equal to the distance from end to end-of the extensions.

, The under face of the-base, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, is provided with a series of grooves to accommodate tors connecting the lights in line wires B, B; and with a switch circuit with the made from this screw 10,through the lamp and the case. These screws 10 are connected'by wires 11, with spring switch points 12, and the latter bear against the periphery of the ratchet like rotary switch member 13. This switch member 13 which is of insulating material is made with three metal faces of varying lengths, all connected in circuit with one of the line wires B and the other line wire B is connected by the wire 9 with the several lamp shells. The three metal faces above referred to are integral with a metal plate 13 secured to the switch member 13 in electric circuit with the central journal 13*, the latter connected with the line wire B. This switch 12 can be turned by its operating button 16 so as to 12 at a time and close its lamp circuit, and the metal surfaces above referred to on the rotary member, are so disposed as'to first compel the lighting of one light, then two, and then three, and then break the circuit of all the lamps.

17, and the switch casing 18 is secured to the 1 center of this plate, and the line wires B and it will be observed 6'WhlCl1- is also in circuit with the line writes as will now be described, and provided with a base.

2-, the several eleclustrate' the 'circuit.

shell the lamp will be lighted as is ordinarily throw in one switch member To the bottom of the base 1 to betterpro- I tect the electric connections, I secure a plate the electric conduc- 'is placed in position inclosing the lamps, to

enter a central opening 23 in the shade, and a nut 24 screwed on said sleeve will hold the shade in proper osition.

In the form 0 .deviceillustrated in 3, the base is to be secured to a wall or celling, and in such form, I would of course em-' ploy a switch not shown, located between the several lamps and on the same face of the base as are the lamp sockets.

A great many changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of partsdescribed without departin carom my invenalterations as fairly tion, and hence I do n rrestrict myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and fall within the spirit 7 and scope of my'invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ist 1. An article of the class described, comprising a base of insulating material, radial extenslons on said base, integral lamp sockets on one face of said radial extensions of the base, shells in said sockets, screws securing said shells and projecting through the base extensions, a switch secured on the other face of said base at its center, said other face -having radial grooves, and circuit Wires in said grooves connecting said screws with said switch.

2. In a cluster fixture, the combination with a hanger, a base secured to said hanger, lamp sockets on the upper face of the base, lamps in said sockets, a switch on the lower face of the base, a bail secured to said base, and a lamp shadesupported by said bail, said shade surrounding the said base.

3. In a cluster electric fixture, the combination with a "hanger, a base secured to said han er, lamp sockets on the upper face of the ass, lamps in said sockets, a switch on the lower face of the base, a bail or bracket secured to the base, a sleeve on said bail or bracket, a stem on said switch located in said sleeve, a lamp shade having a central opening to receive the sleeve, and a nut on said sleeve for holding the shade in position on the fixture.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. CALDWELL. Witnesses:

R. H. KR NKEL, 'J. A. L. MULHALL. 

